Analysis

Sources of Error

― Inconsistencies in measuring the weight of the pans (P1 and P2)

― Inaccuracy in the actual weight of the weights used (may have been worn down over time)
― Inaccurate measurements of the distances of the pans and weights to the axis of rotation
― Miscalculations due to human error
― Inaccurate judgement with regards to the balancing of the beam

Concepts / Principles Used

1. Torque
― Also known as moment of force
― A rotational equivalent of a force
― The measure of the effectiveness of a force in changing or accelerating a rotation
― As a linear force is known as a push or pull, torque can be considered as a twist to an
object
― Mathematically defined as the rate of change of angular momentum of an object
― The concept of torque was applied when the weights on the beam shifted the angular
momentum of the beam.

2. 2nd Condition of Equilibrium

― The 2nd Condition of Equilibrium states that for a body to remain in rotational
equilbrium, the sum of all torques acting on the body must be equal to zero.
― The condition for a body acted on by any number of planar torques to be in rotational
equilibrium is that the sum of all the torques clockwise must be equal to the sum of all
the torques counterclockwise.
― The concept was applied when balancing the weights on the beam by repositioning the
distance of the weights from the axis of rotation. All the forces must remain equal on
both sides of the axis of rotation to reach equilibrium.
Relation of Data to the Concepts and Principles used

― The actual weights of P1 and P2 are close to the computed weights of P1 and P2 with a percent
difference of 1.84% and 0.24% respectively.
― We can infer with this data that there is a correlation between the distance from the pans
balanced on the beam to the axis of rotation and the weights of the pans used.
― From the experiment, we’ve observed that equilibrium can be achieved by shifting the position
of the weight toward or away from the axis of rotation.
― The farther the weight is placed from the axis of rotation, the more torque is present and
similarly, the closer the weight is placed from the axis of rotation, the less torque is present.
― It was observed that the values of the computed and measured weights of the beam were close
with a percent difference of 1.46 %.
― This ensures that with the application of the 2nd condition of equilibrium, we can acquire
reliable data as to the weight of the beam and the data proves that the theorem behind the 2nd
condition of equilibrium holds true.

Conclusion

Satisfaction of the Objectives of the Experiment

― With the experiment, we were able to successfully apply the 2nd Condition of Equilibrium to
further analyze systems like the beam and pans which involve the concept of rotational
equilibrium.
― Our group had successfully determined the values of the weights of the pans at a 1.84 and 0.24
percent difference from the actual value.
― At a 1.46 percent difference between calculated and actual values, we have also successfully
determined the weight of the beam with the use of the 2nd Condition of Equilibrium.
― With all said, we have satisfied the objectives of the experiment and analyzed our data to justify
existing principles.
Concepts put to use in the Experiment

― The 2nd condition for static equilibrium was applied in the experiment since we aimed to balance
a beam in order to determine whether the sum of all torques on the system equaled to zero and
thus would create a system in equilibrium. This equilibrium or balance ensured us that the
measurements we took were accurate with regards to the concept we needed to apply while
calculating for the weight of the pans.
― In the procedures in our experiment, it was also evident how torque is affected by the forces
acting on the system like how the distance of the weights from the axis of rotation affects the
rotational motion of the beam.

Insights/Understanding

― I have understood the how both force and displacement affect the torque of a body like with that
of the weights on the beam and how it affected the angular momentum of the beam.
― The concept of equilibrium had become much more clear to me. I saw how it was necessary for
all forces on a system to be balanced and equal to reach a state of equilibrium.
― With regards to the 2nd condition of equilibrium specifically, I can see that equilibrium in this
sense is reached when the angular momentum is zero and all the sum of all the torques on the
body equal to zero.
― This experiment also made me realize how torque and the 2nd condition of equilibrium are
related.
― The correlation between the distance from the axis of rotation and the balancing of weights also
became clear to me through this experiment; how equilibrium can be achieved merely by
shifting the position of these weights from the axis of rotation.
Application to Engineering Disciplines

― Seesaws are a very common example of how torque and equilibrium are applied in real life
wherein the middle of the seesaw is the pivot point and the weights on both ends are the forces
that disturb the equilibrium of the system. Systems similar to seesaws are found in various
engineering disciplines such as those in scales used to measure weights.
― In complex machines such as in cars, the torque comes from the engine wherein it may increase
or decrease motor’s number of revolutions in order to compensate for the situational demands
the car is in such as when a car is starting or climbing a hill, the engine would need to supply
more torque to keep the car running.
― Torque is also important in the operation of electric motors such as those in vacuum cleaners and
dishwashers among other things.